Thursday, January 16, 2014

Caloric reflex test

When you put Cold Water in an ear the nystagmus is towards the lesion with quick phase to the opposite side.

When you Put Warm Water in an ear the nystagmus is to the opposite side with quick phase to the same side.

COWS: Cold Opposite, Warm Same.
Cold water = FAST phase of nystagmus to the side Opposite from the cold water filled ear
Warm water = FAST phase of nystagmus to the Same side as the warm water filled ear
In other words: Contralateral when cold is applied and ipsilateral when warm is applied